Welcome to Lake Linganore!

Architectural Review

Environmental Control Committee

Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the LLA Office.

Meet the ECC

All improvements to property in Eaglehead must be reviewed and approved by the Lake Linganore Association (LLA) Environmental Control Committee (ECC). Westwinds (WW) residents, please note that WW has its own ECC and additional requirements and restrictive guidelines / covenants. Refer to the last paragraph for information related to Westwinds.

Prior to beginning any project, property owners are required to seek approval for: new home construction and home additions; construction of decks, fences, patios, porches, sheds, roof/siding and exterior color changes; window and front door changes.

Each application bears a fee and an application form can be obtained at the LLA office or by downloading the form from the LLA web site on the Forms page.

If you have questions about ECC application forms or questions about related ECC fees contact the LLA ECC Administrator at 301-831-6400, ext. 113 or email ecc@lakelinganore.org

Westwinds residents should submit ECC applications to the WW ECC for review and approval. Application forms for WW ECC submissions can be found in the West Winds Village page.

Home Improvements

ECC Application Forms

Please remember that any significant changes to the exterior of your home such as house color, decks, sheds, playsets, fences, major landscaping, etc., must be approved by the ECC. All owners should be familiar with ECC Guidelines prior to applying for any project.

Who Makes the Rules?

In the past, and often still, Developers established specific requirements as to what a building should look like – usually called the Architectural Covenants. This approach toward ensuring certain qualities of design froze the ideas of that era. A decade or so later, these ideas often were outmoded as innovation, or new trends replaced the old. What was fashionable in one generation became passé in the next. To overcome this drawback; to allow for innovation; to keep design up to date; to give Owners and their Architects and Builders maximum flexibility; the concept of our ECC was adopted: no hard or fast rules as to size, cost, materials, or appearance, but allow wide latitude with a design-capable Committee, the ECC, to pass judgment on each building as to whether it met that test of “good design”.

Thus Article VI of the Covenants was written to provide for an Environmental Control Committee (ECC) to review, and approve or disapprove, every structure or improvement to be put upon the land, including landscaping, tree removal, clearing and colors.

This Committee has broad powers to use its’ judgment for the purpose of ensuring that all improvements in Eaglehead are accomplished in a way that will enhance the appearance, livability and therefore the property values in our community. These powers are to be taken seriously, as they have consequences affecting the living environment of the Members, as well as the Member’s investment.

The concept of a Committee exercising judgment in matters of design allows more latitude for the Owners and their Designers to express themselves and meet their particular requirements. New and varied ideas can be better incorporated than if explicit covenants were set forth as to size, price, materials and other elements affecting design.

Since judgment is to be rendered setting limits on design expression, it is imperative that the Members of the ECC be capable in matters of design, and that the staff serving the Committee be sensitive to the Committee concepts, willing to interpret and carry out the findings of the Committee, and to faithfully execute them in a friendly manner.

The ECC does not concern itself with the interior of buildings. Its’ only concern will be to see that the proposed exterior of all structures, and all improvements to properties, meet the standards set. Neither will the ECC consider, nor pass upon, the structural adequacy of any building – which will be left to Architects, Engineers and Code enforcers. It will, however, be concerned about how buildings and other improvements relate to the land upon which they are to be sited. The authority of the Committee will be exercised relating to appearance of everything on a site, by whomever done, which can be seen from any part of Eaglehead.

The decision of the ECC has the force of a covenant particular to the specific lot about which it was made. The work of the ECC is completed when the structure is completed as approved. The ECC is a deliberative body, rendering judgment respecting applications made to it; it is not a policing body. Once a decision is made, it will fall to the duty of other enforcement mechanisms in the Association to police compliance. Thus there is a clean line (completion of the structure and site as approved) between the duties and powers of the ECC and a Covenant Compliance Committee (CCC). The Board, the CCC and staff should have the duty and authority to require compliance with the decisions of the ECC.

A staff person assigned to the ECC shall carry out the Committee decisions. No application shall be approved by any staff person except in accordance with instructions from the Committee. Any purported approval or permit issued without the consent of the Committee shall be invalid. The Committee may delegate to a staff person the authority to make certain limited decisions, and issue permits, allowing specific items or pre-approvals issued by the ECC.

The following articles and sections of the CCR require action by, or involve, the ECC: Article VI in its entirety wherein the ECC is created and empowered; Article VII, Sections 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 26, 27 and 31; Article VIII, Section 1; Article IX, Sections 1 and 2; and Article X wherein enforcement of the Covenants is provided for, including decisions of the ECC.

Article VI gives power to the Board of Directors to receive and act on any application in lieu of the Environmental Control Committee. Alternatively, the ECC appointed by the Board is empowered to make decisions regarding the visible construction or destruction on any lot or parcel. Action by the Board will be taken only in such circumstances as when there is no existing ECC, or when the ECC refers a difficult or controversial decision to the elected Board, or when the Board formally instructs the ECC to refrain from considering an action which the Board chooses to consider.

Although there is no explicit provision in the Covenants for appeal from a decision by the ECC, reconsideration and appeal are now permitted. Once the Board of Directors renders a decision following an appeal, it is final.

The ECC will adopt and publish Environmental Control Design Standards and Application Procedures as approved by the Board of Directors. Forms, including checklists designed to assist Members and Builders, and to improve the ease of administration, will be created from time to time by the ECC. Information setting forth items, which can be approved by the Administrator without further reference to the Committee, will be published. These will be in printed form and two (2) copies will be made available, without cost, to any Member requesting them.

The Board shall establish the amount of an application fee used to defray part or all of the cost of administering the ECC, and a schedule of liquidated damage dollar amounts levied for infractions. The Board may take such other actions as it deems necessary to address infractions or damages if the liquidated damages are not accepted as sufficient remedy.

The purpose of the Environmental Control Committee (ECC) is to allow members of the Lake Linganore Association a maximum opportunity for flexibility and innovation in planning improvements on their land, while ensuring a high quality of design which will enhance their visual living environment and improve the economic value of their property. Alternatives such as fixed design standards, and no standards at all, were considered and rejected in favor of employing a skilled Committee to render judgment, their only criteria being the quality of design, enhancing life and economic value. Under the Covenants (CCR), the ECC has substantial responsibilities assigned to it, together with the authority to carry out those responsibilities.

In general, these Design Standards have been prepared to guide the construction of Improvements within the Association, consistent with the following objectives:

The best possible living environment

In buildings of enduring beauty

In a community of unparalleled excellence

To promote respect and sensitivity for the natural environment.

To encourage consistency and continuity of design while allowing flexibility for achieving creative design solutions.

These Design Standards are intended to further implement the architectural controls set forth in the Declaration, and shall in no event be deemed to limit, modify or amend any specific provision of the Declaration. In the event of any conflict between the Declaration and these Design Standards, the terms and provisions of the Declaration shall control.

New Home Applications

All new home applications are to be done by appointment only. Appointments must be made to to review the application and all submitted materials to ensure the application is complete and can be properly processed by the LLA Environmental Control Committee (ECC). The appointment process should cut down on erroneous and/or incomplete applications that would delay prompt processing and review. Appointments can be made by contacting your Village Manager.

CDA Construction Drawings: Attention Contractors

If you are a general contractor in Lake Linganore it is important to remember that all projects within the 5 CDA Villages must be compliant with SWM systems outlined in our CDA Construction Drawings.

Please educate yourself, and utilize our CDA Resources prior to beginning work in the community. The CDA Villages are Coldstream, Meadows, Balmoral, Pinehurst and Nightingale. Designs for all other villages should be on file at the county DPW.

Office Hours

Open:

Closed:

Weekends and the following holidays:

24 Hour Answering Service

For facility related emergencies after hours, please call (301) 293-3802. This service is not to be used for medical or police emergencies. Call this number to report fallen trees blocking the roadway, pool related service issues, or other facility related emergencies